{interim} she was not the cure for cancer. a [frahyt-nd] rabbit described
Due to a wonderful bit of chance in this world, I came upon a new band, of Selkrik, Scotland, known as frightened rabbit. To explain the importance of this lovely band, I am currently working on a further exploration of another band for a separate review, but this article took a bit of precedent as I was quite moved by this record. Finding something new from the UK seems a rather simple thing these days, throughout all musical styles really. But there is something brilliant happening throughout United Kingdom in the new style of rock. There is an intensity in the music, a violence in playing and studio production, a punk rock sensibility applied to nearly all instruments, be they delicate acoustical things, or bristling, torrential guitars. Two Door Cinema Club and Bloc Party are certainly examples of fast tempos, marked by dense yet spartan riffing, whilst Athlete exemplifies using the studio as an artistic power tool, but I think Frightened Rabbit might be an interesting addition to such list.
Regarding The Winter of Mixed Drinks (frightened rabbit’s 2010 effort):
It’s like breaking and entering with this record, the tracks are blisteringly loud and violently percussive, harking back to pub brawls and all too much lager (lager, lager lager). The guitars are played like a quadriplegic musical genius just regained use of his hands; hit the strings harder and faster than anybody else, because god knows if this all will work tomorrow. There’s not a note missed but god how does one keep up? The reverb seems only present due to the band needing to record some of their songs in the presence of friends, possibly for the “quality of the room” of various public houses in the area, that and more likely the need of a proper pint. Some of the art found in this record feels haphazard, accidental even, as if come upon by luck and chance. There are mechanical sounds laden throughout the record, such as a movie reel and badly recorded steam locomotive that plays back in rhythm. There are sampled voices, electronic bits and bobs and miles away mic’s. This all could be called silly, gilding the lily, or even unappreciable as music, but the insecurity of the vocalist, Scott Hutchison, makes all sounds welcome with his back alley croon and somehow, it all comes together even though it all sounds close to falling apart.
The music is sad, just so very sad, a record of a dark winter in a land of strangers. There are moments of inspiring optimism, but it is tempered, hinting at a near begging for a day not like the ones behind Scott Hutchison, the primary lyricist. There is a sickness in settling and the record promises, at least after last night, it will never happen again.
This record is brilliant and well worth the time to discover it. Normally I would try and give you an overview of an entire band, who they are and what has brought them to now. However, I was just handed this disc and I was completely overcome with how truly wonderful this record is. You will certainly be hearing more from our dear friends of the Royal Burgh of Selkirk upon some further research, but, The Winter of Mixed Drinks is a powerful, although uncertain of itself recording, that with very little effort becomes one of those records you set iTunes to “Repeat All”.
keep listening.
_backchat.
[btw, thank you to Amanda, who handed this one to me]
